Improvement in bung-locks



J. KIRBY. Bung-Loo'k.

Patented july 9, 187s.`

lllllllll-Ill/ mmm N'PERS, PHOTO-UIAOGHAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSIAII KIR'BY, O'F CINCINNATI, ()III().

IMPROVEMENT IN BUNG-LOCKS.

Specification forming pai-tof Letters Patent No. 205,873, dated July 9, 1:4752.; application filed April 2G, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that' I, J osiAH KIRBY, of the city of Cincinnati, county Vof 'Halnilton and State of Ollio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bring-Locks, or devices for securing bungs in bung holes, of which the following is a specification:

My invention has for its primary objectsuch a construction of the devices for retaining the bung in the bung-hole as that the security of the bung shall be absolute, exceptin gunder the application of a suitable key, which will be in the possession of the proper parties.

The invention consists insuch a novel construction of the followers as that by the eugagement of the key with a portion of the uuderlying or concealed surface of the follower the above object shall be attained.

Among the other advantages derived from my invention are:

First, it enables me to employ a thin waferlike bung. The advantages of such a bung over the old style of bungs are evident when it is understood that the devices employed by me to secure it are not more expensive than those extant and in use to protect the bungstave when the common thick wooden bung is employed, these advantages being in substance economy in manufacture, owing to the saving in material, and, when made of wood, increased convenience in applying a ventilator by perforation.

Secondly, where, as will usually be the case, the keyhole in the follower is sizable and reaches the bun g, the latter can be perforated, and a ventilator inserted through the follower and into the perforation of the bung.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the follower and its bushing. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same, showing the bung in position. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a modified form of follower. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of still another form of follower. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of same; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the many and various forms of key which may be employed for removing the follower.

A is the follower, for securing the bung; and B is the bushing,`which is securedin the barrel, and forms the boundary of the bunghole. The said bushing is intended to occupy not more space than the thickness of the barrel-stave supplies, except possibly what may be occupied by an extension-rim, 1),.and it is provided at its inner extremity with an interiorly-extending flange, b', which serves as a seat to support the bung C, in order to enable the follower to force and keep the bung against the seat b.

I provide the bushing Il with inwardly-projecting lugs b2, and, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, form the follower in two parts, lmving screw` threaded connection, so that it is in fact cxpansible, and enabled to extend itself between the said lugs and the bung until the latter is forced as firmly against the seat as desired.

In order to enable the lugs I)2 to retain the follower, the latter must be of greater diameter than the circular space lying exactly within the imnost extremities of the former; and in order to enable the follower to pass the lugs, it is formed with peripheral blanks a, and hence after insertion it must be partially revolved to remove the blanks from in line with the lugs in order that the latter may secure it. To prevent the turning of the follower too far, it is provided with an upright lug, c1, to come in contact with one of the lugs b2; and in the case of the expausible follower (seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 3) I provide another lug, a2, so located upon the exterior portion ofthe followeras to, in conj unctionwith lug al, embrace the ends of one of the lugs b2 when held there, and, causing the part to which it is secured to remain stationary, enable the rotation of the other part, so as to force the bung against seat bl, after which the only way of releasing the bung is to contract the follower by revolving the inner portion, and thus, disengaging the aforesaid lugs, enable the withdrawal of the follower from the bushin Now, as the inner portion of the follower cannot be turned by hand, the bung is substantially locked, and in order to enable the unlocking of it by the proper parties, as well as to lock it in the first place, I have formed in the under surface of a flange upon the said inner portion of the follower a depression, a3, to receive the projection of a suitably-formed key,

which may be brought in contact therewith through the central opening in the follower.

The key D, as seen in Fig. 6, is formed with a T-liaiidle and provided with a pvoted or hinged projection, d, which, b v iiiealis of its arni d2, may be retired within the shank ofthe key to enable its insertion through the opening of the follower, and, by virtue of spring d3, be projected to engage with depression u of the follower. There are obviously many ways of forming the ke)v and the obstruction for it to act upon in turning the lower portioli of the follower; but the essential feature is the locating of the obstruction upon the ulider face of the protecting tlange of the ililier portion of the follower, which makes an inexpensive and reliable locking device.

Thekeyl), aforementioned, although invented by me, docs not constitute apart of the invention forming the subject of this specification and Letters latent.

In the event of dispensing with the expansible characteristics ofthe follower shown in Figs. l, 2, and Il, a suitable form of follower is shown in Figs. 4 aiid 5, where it will be seen that the followcris solid, and is provided with suitable inclined surface to act against the lugs b2, so as to force the bung against the annular scat when the followeris rotated. This rotation is accomplished ill the saine inaliiier as it is actaimplished in the saine followers sliowli in Figs. l, 2, and 3-viz.,bynieansofa key and a recess, n, or equivalent obstruction, upon a portion ofthe concealed ornuderlving surface of the followers. It is also preferablv provided with stop u'.

If it is desired to apply a ventilator to the barrel, iii order to enable the withdrawal of the inelosed liquor, the ventilator is applied to the bling through the opening in the follower, when it may pierce the bung to galli the desired communication with the interior of the barrel.

It must be understood that the devices eniployed do not constitute a metallic billig, but are means of securing in place a relatively thin and wafer-like bung, so that it may, with the securing devices, come Within the thickness of the barrel-stave, whileit is essentially ri gid and sel f-supportin g against gaseous pressure from within.

Having thus described my invention, l claim- 1. In combination with a billig and-its annular seat, the securingtbllower A, arranged to be operated to release and secure the lullig by means of the engagement of a key with an obstruction upon any portion of its underl yin g or concealed surface.

2. A bung-lock consisting of the bushing and the expansible follower, substantially as specified, the follower being in two parts, having a screw-threaded connection, the whole arranged to be operated to release and secure the billig by means of the engagement of a key upon any portion of its underlying or concealed surface.

3. In combination with a bling, an annular seat and a follower arranged to secure the billig up to the annular seat, and provided with an orifice through which a ventilator eau be introduced to pertorate the bung.

JOSIAII KIRBY.

Attest:

W. S. tiiilis'rormm, WAIxroN, Ji'. 

